The European Union called on the Georgian authorities to observe aviation sanctions against Russia, which introduced the EU authorities. This was stated by the press speaker of the external relations of the European Commission Peter Stano, commenting on discussions about the possibility of restoring direct air traffic between Georgia and Russia.
“Due to the illegal aggression of Russia against Ukraine, the European Union imposed sanctions against Russian aviation … The European Union urges Georgia to join the sanctions introduced by the European Union and other countries against Russia in the aviation sphere, and maintain vigilance regarding any possible attempts to circumvent sanctions”, – says in a letter to Stano in response to a request from the publication of the Georgian publication Netgazeti.
At the same time, he noted that the EU sanctions regime is considering the possibility of imposing sanctions against those who participate or support the possible bypass of EU sanctions against Russia.
Earlier, the US State Department said that the resumption of flights between Georgia and Russia will threaten sanctions against companies serving Russian companies at Georgian airports.
Earlier, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergei Lavrov, said that Russia hopes for a quick resumption of air traffic with Georgia. He also called the position of the Georgian authorities “courageous”, since they, according to him, are “guided by the interests” of his country, not Western states. The chairman of the ruling party of Georgia, Irakli Kobahidze, said that the restoration of the air traffic is “great” for Georgian natives living in Russia, and “will only be welcomed”. President Salome Zurabishvili categorically opposed. She stated that it sounds “incomprehensible”, “when all our partners expressed maximum solidarity with the selfless struggle of Ukraine with a word or deed.” In her opinion, the statement of the Russian minister is aimed at making a split into the relations of Georgia with Western partners.